Would you vote for James for Senate?

A democracy that has given us Sen. Al Franken and Gov. Terminator surely is capable of producing Sen. Craig James. But I'd sooner vote for Lee "Don't forget the 7-second delay" Corso.

The beauty of James' folly is he's running in his native Texas. Sure, he starred there at SMU, but that outlaw era earned the program the NCAA's only death penalty. More than two decades later, James' ESPN-enabled crusade helped take down Texas Tech coach Mike Leach. Many sins are forgivable in Texas. Toppling two nationally ranked football programs isn't one of them.

That said, James could solve the federal budget deficit by persuading ESPN to donate Chris Berman's per diem and Erin Andrews' wardrobe allowance.

I can't say Craig James' interest in politics shocks me. He seems to have the gene to govern, based on how smugly he has all the answers for college football while only rarely acknowledging the questions in his own past.

James, who was highly recruited as a prep star in Houston, signed up for one of the nation's most corrupt operations — the SMU teams of Ron Meyer. Maybe he was the only guy who didn't receive illegal inducements, but I've always found it odd he could be part of that and then be ESPN's public conscience.

There's no giving him the benefit of the doubt on the Texas Tech situation, however. He misused his position to influence ESPN's coverage of the scandal that cost Mike Leach his job.

Craig James in the U.S. Senate? What's his campaign slogan? A shutdown corner in every secondary and a 4.3 sprinter in every backfield? Unless the other primary candidates are Dasher, Dancer and Blitzen, James does not deserve any support.

James might know football — although some TV viewers would argue that — but even if he vowed to clean up college sports, it doesn't matter. Texas and the United States have far more important issues to address.

Yes, we all know James' son allegedly was treated unfairly at Texas Tech under then-coach Mike Leach. But if the elder James wants to go after win-at-all-costs and drill-sergeant coaches, get another stage.

I hope most people would answer this the same, regardless of affiliation. I'd need a clearer picture of what Craig James' political beliefs are.

I mean, he seems like a pretty good guy on TV. But so did Tiger Woods. So did Rudy Ruettiger. So did Senator Palpatine.

Before I'd make that choice, I'd want to hear him speak. I'd like to know his opinions on national spending and universal health care and a slew of other important topics.

That he is a former football player and ESPN analyst would make no difference in my decision. Those facts don't speak to his character or leadership abilities or, most importantly, what he believes is right for the country.